VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Nov 1: Narsinh temple, which was constructed 377 years ago, will remain closed on Kartik Purnima (Nov 8) due to the lunar eclipse. Every year during Kartik Purnima, the temple witnesses a huge footfall of devotees from different districts and those from other states also.
Devotees come here on an auspicious day to take blessings of Bhagwan Narsinh, the only such temple in this region. But this time, they will not have the darshan of God.
The Temple managing committee issued a communique in this regard today claiming that after early morning puja, doors of the sanctum sanctorum will be closed.
The secretary of the committee, Ajay Mishra said the lunar eclipse would start at 1:38 PM and end at 6:19 PM. He said as per the Hindu religion, no good work will be done for nine hours before the start of the eclipse. He termed that period as sutak and said the temple will be closed soon after the early morning puja by priests.
The temple is approximately 6 kilometres from the temple in Khapariawan village of Katkamdag block. The temple records confirmed that one Baba Damodar Mishra had brought the black stone idol of Narsinh from Bhusundi hill of Nepal after dreaming about it.
The ancient temple is very popular among devotees. In the 90s, former Barkatha MLA late Lambodar Pathak renovated this temple making the entire complex beautiful.
Every year during Kartik Purnima, the committee organises a mela here which is also known as sugarcane mela. Devotees coming here offer marigold garland to God and return with sugarcane.
The mela will be organised but the doors of the temple will remain closed, added secretary Ajay Mishra. He added that this temple will remain closed on Kartik Purnima for the first time in the history of 377 years.
